Rahab
femaleConquestMeaning: “Broad; spacious”
The Canaanite woman of Jericho who hid the Israelite spies, confessed faith in Israel’s God, and was spared — later named in the genealogy of Jesus.
Biography
Rahab of Jericho is one of the most remarkable conversions in the Old Testament — a Canaanite harlot who, by faith, sheltered Israel's spies, was spared in the city's destruction, and entered both the people of God and the genealogy of the Messiah.
Faith in Jericho
When two Israelite spies came to Jericho, Rahab hid them on her roof and turned away the king's men. Her confession was a clear act of faith: "the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath" (Joshua 2:11). She asked only that her family be spared.
The scarlet cord
The spies promised protection if she bound a scarlet cord in her window. When the walls of Jericho fell, Rahab and her household alone were saved, and "she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day" (Joshua 6:25).
Honored among the faithful
Hebrews lists her among the heroes of faith (Hebrews 11:31), and James cites her works as proof of living faith (James 2:25). She married Salmon and became the mother of Boaz — placing her, a redeemed outsider, in the line of David and of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5).
Life Timeline
Hides the Israelite spies and confesses faith in the LORD
Spared with her household when Jericho falls
On the Bible timeline
Rahab belongs to the The Exodus & Wilderness era (c. 1446 BC (early) / 1260 BC (late)).
- c. 1446 BC (early) / 1260 BC (late)The Exodus from Egypt
- c. 1446 BCThe Law Given at Sinai
- c. 1406 BCThe Conquest of Canaan
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Rahab
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Rahab appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
7 verses in 3 booksJoshua5 verses
Joshua 2:1
And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there. sent: or, had sent lodged: Heb. lay
Joshua 2:3
And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.
Joshua 6:17
And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent. accursed: or, devoted
Joshua 6:23
And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel. kindred: Heb. families
Joshua 6:25
And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.
Hebrews1 verse
Hebrews 11:31
By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. that: or, that were disobedient
James1 verse
James 2:25
Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
Frequently asked about Rahab
Who was Rahab in the Bible?
The Canaanite woman of Jericho who hid the Israelite spies, confessed faith in Israel’s God, and was spared — later named in the genealogy of Jesus.
What does the name Rahab mean?
The name Rahab means “Broad; spacious”.
Who were Rahab's children?
Rahab's children include Boaz.
Where does Rahab appear in the Bible?
Rahab is mentioned 7 times across 3 books: Joshua, Hebrews, James.
What can we learn from Rahab?
The story of Rahab touches on themes of reconnaissance, accursed, ark of the covenant, faith — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Rahab's life.
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